Skye Camanachd will host the sixth John MacKinnon Memorial Sixes at the Portree High School astro pitch on Saturday 29 December 2018.

The event remembers Skye Camanachd Vice President John MacKinnon who died in December 2011 as the result of a tragic accident at work.

John MacKinnon was a regular at Skye Camanachd games both at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree and on the mainland. His son Ewen MacKinnon was the youngest member of the Skye Camanachd side which won the 1990 Camanachd Cup when they beat Newtonmore 4-1 at An Aird, Fort William.

The family connection continued with John’s grandson Iain Nicolson playing for the Skye first team whilst his grandsons William MacKinnon and Ross MacKinnon turned out for the Skye U17s last season.

John MacKinnon’s firm Skye Transport was a well-established haulage business and is now part of the Ferguson Transport Group. John was also a generous sponsor of Skye Camanachd and was always on hand to provide advice on many matters.

Rules of Play

The 2018 MacKinnon Sixes will start at 10am and all teams should be ready to start by then.

Teams should report to the shed at the south end of the astro pitch next to the High School for registration.

Teams should consist of a squad of eight players and must include a lady, an U17, an over 40 not currently playing league shinty, a maximum of two first team players and three others.

All league games will last for a single period of 7 minutes.

Three points are awarded for a win and one for a draw.

A team will be awarded an extra point for any game in which the lady scores so even in defeat, the team will be awarded a point if a lady scores.

A team will be awarded an extra point for any game in which the over 40 scores so even in defeat, the team will be awarded a point if the over 40 scores.

The additional points only apply to league games and not the semi-final or final.

Players are offside if they are within 5 yards of the goal before receiving the ball.

Referees will decide whether a player is offside.

Rolling substitutes will be in use.

The over 40 must play half the game.

The lady must play the entire game.

Leagues will be decided on the most points won.

If teams are level on points, the outcome will be decided on goal difference.

If teams are level on goal difference, the team scoring the most goals will be the winner.

Semi-finals will last 10 minutes with a change of ends after 5 minutes.

If teams are level at full-time, a period of 5 minutes of extra-time will be played. If the teams are still level after this, there will be a penalty shoot-out with 3 penalties taken by a nominated lady, a veteran over 40 and an U17.

Trainers or moulded studs only must be worn on the astro turf. No blades/bars or metal studs can be worn.

The changing rooms and showers at Portree High School are available to be used and teams are responsible for safely securing any valuables. The changing rooms will be sign posted.

Medical staff will be present on the day but teams are advised to ensure they have a first-aider in their team.

All teams will be asked to nominate a Player of the Tournament, a Ladies Player of the Tournament, an U17 Player of the Tournament and an over 40 Player of the Tournament ahead of the prize giving in the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse.

Soup and sandwiches will be provided in the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse after the tournament.

There will be no yellow or red cards shown but the match referee may ask a player to leave the field of play (and be replaced) if they are showing an over aggressive or unsporting approach to what should be a fun game.

The referee’s decision is final.

By participating in this competition, all teams agree to abide by the rules of play.

Team managers may be asked to help with refereeing.

We hope you all have a great day out whether you are playing, officiating or spectating.